Controls for web splicing apparatus



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CONTROLS FOR WEB SPLICING APPARATUS Original Filed April 21, 1955 8SheetsSheet I5 IN V EN TORS.

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Original Filed April 21 Nov. 6, 1962 c. w. CHASE ETAL 3,062,466

CONTROLS FOR WEB SPLICING APEARATUS Original Filed April 21, 1955 8Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 6, 1962 c. w. CHASE ETAL 3,062,466 CONTROLS FOR WEBSPLICING APPARATUS Original Filed April 21,- 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet 6INVENTORS. 6074072 m we zwrgymwf w Nov. 6, 1962 C. W. CHASE ETALCONTROLS FOR WEB SPLICING APPARATUS Original Filed April 21, 1955 8Sheets-Sheet 7 1 flfl 1 5%{132 eg z 129 2 mm j 91 49 j 45% a4,

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CONTROLS FOR WEB SPLICING APPARATUS Original Filed April 21, 1955 8Sheets-Sheet 8 Pas-1 P4 g l PEEDE/ V5 #451 sou-wow 2 055 P05 3 1615-3"PEEDEIVF 5/4 16 15-2 PDSX-Z 1 F3 PG! 1% F2 R ga BurroA Z2 F55! M mmv0R3 D6 mes? M62669: Qhze y'Peale/zm nite States 3,062,466 CONTROLS FORWEB SPLICING APPARATUS Corson Walter Chase, Oak Park, and Walter J.Jasinowski, La Grange Park, Ill., and Arne V. Pedersen, Gentofte,Denmark, assignors to Miehle-Goss-Dexter, Incorporated, Wilmington, Del,a corporation of Delaware Original application Apr. 21, 1955, Ser. No.502,923, new Patent No. 2,963,234, dated Dec. 6, 1960. Divided and thisapplication Sept. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 59,297

15 Claims. (Cl. 242-585) This invention relates in general to websplicing apparatus and, more particularly, to the control of thecooperating movable components which act to position a new roll adjacenta running web, to predrive the new roll, to splice the new roll to therunning web, and to brake the newly spliced roll While it is being movedinto operative relation relative to tensioning elements or straps. Thisapplication is a division of applicants copending application Serial No.502,923, filed April 21, 1955, now US. Patent No. 2,963,234.

It is the general aim of the invention to make the operation of Websplicing apparatus for effecting flying pasters highly reliable andperfectly safe for operating personnel, as well as to assure that anyfailure of the mechanism cannot result in damage thereto.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide websplicing apparatus in which the movements and operations of allcomponents are so controlled that each proceeds only in response tocompletion of another, so that no error can result once the splicing hasbegun.

Another object is to prevent rotation of the reel which supports webrolls beyond a predetermined position when the predrive carriage andbelt are lowered, thus preventing the latter from being trapped by anadvancing newly loaded roll.

It is also an object of the invention to provide fluid pressure meansfor moving a paster carriage between its retracted and operativepositions, together with control means therefor which stop retraction ofthe carriage if any object is disposed in its retraction path. A relatedobject is to provide positive locking of the paster carriage in itsretracted position so that it will not be moved even though there shouldbe a failure of fluid pressure, together with means for unlocking thecarriage when it is to be lowered towards splicing position.

It is a further object to increase the safety with which the websplicing apparatus operates by a control arrangement which requires thatthe operator holds a switch closed until the cycle has progressed to apredetermined point, all of the components being returned to theiroriginal retracted positions if the operator, in an emergency, simplyreleases the switch.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the followingdescription proceeds, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram which is partially mechanical,electrical and pneumatic in form, illustrating the over-all organizationof apparatus forming a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic representation of electricalcomponents controlled according to the rotational position of the reelshaft shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the reel assembly and its supports;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the predrive assembly and carriage, takensubstantially along the line 4-4 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the predrive assembly;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the paster carriage assembly;

3,062,466 Patented Nov. 6, 1962 FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the pastercarriage looking substantially along the line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIGS. 8-11 are schematic illustrations of the fluid pressure means andcontrols for moving the paster carriage between retracted andinoperative positions;

FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit diagram of the electrical controls foraccomplishing sequential operation for movement of the several parts;and

FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams of auxiliary circuits.

While the invention has been shown and is described in some detail withreference to a particular embodiment thereof, there is no intention tothus limit it to such detail. On the contrary, the intention here is tocover all modifications, alterations and equivalents falling within thespirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

General Organization The web splicing apparatus here illustrated asembodying the invention is of the general type employed with newspaperprinting presses to make flying pasters, i.e., to splice the leading endof a new paper roll to the web being drawn from an expiring roll withoutrequiring interruption or slowing down of the web and the press intowhich it is fed. The mechanism includes a movable support for paperrolls, here shown as a reel assembly 15, a predrive assembly 16 on oneside and a paster carriage assembly 17 on the other side (FIGS. 1 and2). Axially spaced on a reel shaft 21, which may be turned by a suitableelectric motor 22, are spiders having radial arms which rotatablysupport three web rolls 25, 26, 27. The running web W is drawn from theexpiring roll 25 upwardly into the press (not shown) at a speeddependent upon the press speed.

For retarding rotation of the expiring roll 25 so as to create tensionin the web W, a plurality of straps 28 bear against that roll and aretightened by a pneumatic actuator .2? supplied with variable airpressure from an automatic controller 36 which is responsive to thedeflection of a floating roller 31 over which the web W is trained. Thistensioning system is preferably of the type disclosed and claimed in theMcWhorter Patent No. 2,743,881, issued May 1, 1956, to which referencemay be made for a more detailed description. I

The predrive assembly 16 is mounted on the upper portions of Y-shapedsupports 34 (FIG. 3) which also carry the reel shaft 21. The assemblyincludes a carriage 35 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 5) movable or pivotable between aretracted position (permitting clearance for a roll as the reel rotates)and an operative position (permitting the new roll to be either drivenor braked). Such movement is effected by a double-acting pneumaticactuator 36 under the control of a four-way valve 38 shifted between itstwo positions in response to energization or deenergization of asolenoid 39. The carriage 35 supports an endless belt 40 which may thusbe brought into frictional driving engagement with the new roll 26 sothat the latter is brought up to speed before the splice to the runningweb is made. The belt 40 is driven or retarded by a motor 41 controlledin a particularly advantageous manner by means including an amplidyne42. The carriage 35 is raised and lowered to and from its retracted andoperative positions automatically to permit the newly loaded roll 27 toclear it as the reel rotates.

It will be understood that prior to a splice, the leading edge of thenew roll 26 is coated with a suitable adhesive paste or glue whichremains tacky. A discontinuity is left in the adhesive where thepredrive belt 40 engages the roll.

The paster carriage assembly 17 (FIGS. 1, 6 and 7) functions to deflectthe running web W against the properly positioned new roll 26 in orderto bond the web to the leading edge of the new roll, and to sever theold web from the expiring roll 25. This assembly includes a carriage 44pivoted to rock between retracted and operative positions about asupport shaft 45 under the influence of a double-acting pressure fluid(pneumatic) actuator or ram 46 controlled by a four-way solenoid valve48 moved between its two positions in response to energization of asolenoid 49. Also connected in the pneumatic circuit are two safetyvalves 50, 51 movable between their two positions in response toenergization of solenoid coils 52 and 53.

Supported on the paster carriage 44 are a plurality of brushes 54 cockedagainst spring biasing means and retained by a latch. With the carriagelowered, release of the latch permits the brushes 54 to swing outwardlyand deflect the web W against the rotating new roll 26. This, in turn,causes the web to adhere to the paste on the new roll. Also supported onthe paster carriage, and actuated shortly after the brushes, are aplurality of knives 55 cocked against spring means and retained by alatch. When the latch is released, the knives swing to sever the web Wat a point beneath the brushes so that the expiring roll web is broken.

Reel Assembly Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 3 it will beseen that the main reel shaft 21 is rotatably held in the vertical,Y-shaped support 34. The reel motor 22 is drivingly connected through asuitable speed-reducing gear box 56 and energized through contacts R-l,R-2, and R-3 closed upon energization of a coil R to rotate the shaft 21counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1.

Two spiders 58, 59 are rotatable with the shaft 21, each having threeradial arms 60, 61, 62 at 120 intervals. In each radial arm arejournaled spindles 64 on which the rolls are chucked. Magnetic brakesare associated with the three spindles in the spider 58, such brakeshaving stationary field coils 65a, 65b, 650 which, when energized brakethe corresponding roll to prevent or retard rotation. These coils areenergized through a slip ring segments 67 (FIG. 2) mounted in insulatingmaterial to rotate with the shaft 21 and enclosed by a stationary slipring housing 68 (FIG. 3).

A stationary brush 66a rides on the slip ring 66, and two stationarybrushes 67a, 67b engage the different segments 67 according to theangular position of the reel shaft 21. This affords control of eachbrake coil 65a, 65b, and 650 in the same manner when its spindle is inthe new roll or the expired roll position. Also located in the arms ofthe spider 58 are respective breaker contacts or points 69a, 69b, 69cwhich are opened and closed by cams 7i) fixed to the associatedspindles. The new roll of paper is positioned on the spindles so thatthe correct relationship exists between the corresponding breaker points69a, 6%, or 690 and the glue pattern on the trailing edge of the newroll. This assures that each cam 70 opens and closes the associatedbreaker points 69a, 6%, or 690 in properly timed relation to the angularposition of the pasted leading edge as the new roll is rotated prior toa splice.

To make each set of breaker points control the operation of the splicingapparatus when they are in the new roll position, they are electricallyconnected (see FIG. 12) to external circuits through a slip ring 72 andrespective slip ring segments 73 (FIGS. 2 and 12). One stationary brush72a rides on the ring 72, and one stationary brush 73a engages that oneof the segments '73 which is uppermost, i.e., corresponds to the newlyloaded roll. With the reel shaft 21 in the position shown by FIGS. 2 and12, only the breaker points 69a are operative in controlling a seriescircuit between the brushes 72a and To sense the angular position of thereel shaft 21, two circular cams 74a and 7412 are mounted to rotate withthe shaft and to control the actuation of cam switches RLSZ, RLS3 andRLS4 (FIG. 2). Each cam has three zit rises spaced at 120 intervals, sothat the four cam switches are actuated as each newly loaded roll, orexpired roll, passes through predetermined angular positions, ashereinafter described.

In preparation for a splicing operation, the reel 20 is set in rotationto bring the new roll 26 to a substantially top vertical position asshown in FIG. 1. To assure that the new roll will be stopped in closeproximity (about inch) to the running web W the photoelectric cell 71 ofa photo relay is mounted on one of the frames 34 with a light beamsource mounted on the opposite frame. When the periphery of the new roll26 breaks the light beam, the reel driving motor 22 is automaticallydeenergized to halt reel rotation. The circuitry for this photoelectriccontrol will be taken up in more detail at a later point.

Predrive Assembly With more particular reference to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5,the predrive assembly includes a frame 75 which is mounted at the upperends of the supports 34 on two cross bars 76, '78. A clamp 79 may beloosened to permit adjustment of the frame axially along the bars,thereby setting the axial location where the predrive belt engages thenew roll periphery. The predrive motor 41 is mounted at one end of theframe 75 (FIG. 3), and connected by drive means such as a toothed belt80 with a toothed pulley S1 keyed to a shaft 82 journaled by suitablebearings at the opposite end of the frame. Intermediate support for thebelt is given by an idler 84. Also supported by hearings on the shaft 82is the bifurcated end of the predrive carriage 35, a pulley 85 beingkeyed to the shaft between the bearings for the carriage. The predrivebelt 40, in turn, is trained over the pulley 85 and a second pulley $6journaled on a cross shaft 88 at the opposite bifurcated end of thecarriage. Mounted adjacent the motor 41 is a speed sensing device, herea tachometer generator 89, which is also driven from the motor shaft bya short connecting belt 90. The tachometer gives an electrical signal orvoltage proportional to the speed of the motor, and thus proportional tothe peripheral speed of the new roll. The tachometer signal is employedto adjust the speed of the new roll to match that of the web prior toactual splicing.

To rock the carriage 35 and the belt 40 between their upper, retractedand their lower, operative positions, the double-acting ram 36 issuitably fastened to the frame 75 with its piston rod 91 connected to alever 92 pivoted on a stub shaft 94. The lever, in turn, is connected bya pivoted link 95 to the belt carriage 35. As the piston rod 91 isretracted, it rocks the lever counterclockwise about the shaft 94,permitting the belt carriage 35 to descend to the operative positionshown by dashed lines in FIG. 4. The upper position of the carriage 35may be adjusted by a stop bolt 96 engaged by the extended piston rod. Atension spring 98 may be connected between the lever 92 and the frame inorder to aid in returning the carriage 35 to its retracted position asthe piston rod 91 is extended.

To prevent the lowered carriage from being trapped as the newly loadedroll advances after a splice is made, a limit switch PLS is mounted onthe frame 75 with its follower riding on an eccentric cam 99 fixed by abracket 1% (FIG. 3) to the carriage 35 to swing with the carriage aboutthe axis of the shaft 32. The switch is thus opened only when thepredrive carriage 35 is lowered from its retracted position. When theswitch is open it is impossible to energize the reel motor 22, as willbe more fully explained.

As explained previously with reference to FIG. 1, the double-acting ram36 is actuated according to the setting of the four-way valve 38 underthe control of the solenoid 39. When the solenoid is deenergized, thevalve 38 is in that position which causes the carriage 35 to beretracted.

The predrive motor 41 and the predrive belt 40 serve two importantfunctions. First, they drive the new roll 26 and maintain its peripheralspeed substantially equal to the speed of the running web W before thesplice is made. Secondly, after the splice is made, they transitionallybrake or retard the new roll to create a predetermined tension in thenew web before the new roll advances into engagement with the tensionbelts 30.

Faster Carriage Assembly In physical structure the paster carriage hastwo side frames 101, 102 (FIGS. 6 and 7) held fast at their one end onthe support shaft 45 journaled between the supports 34. The shaft isrocked to raise or lower the frames 101, 102 by the double-acting airram 46 which has its cylinder fast on one support 34 and its piston rodconnected to a radius arm 104 fixed at one end of the shaft. Rotatablyextending between the side frames 101, 102 are a brush shaft 105, aknife shaft 106 and a safety shaft 108.

Referring to FIG. 7, a plurality of the brushes 54 are held axiallyspaced on the shaft 105 by brackets 109 which are bolted directly to theflat surface of a protruding lip which is a part of the brush shaft 105.For biasing the brush and knife shafts 105 and 106 in a clockwisedirection (as viewed in FIG. 6), each is equipped with torsion springs110, 111 and 112, 114, respectively (FIG. 7). These springs are cockedby clockwise rotation' of the shafts 105 and 106 as an incident toretraction of the carriage to its upper position. The cocking means arenot here shown, but reference may be made to the above-identifiedcopending parent application for their details. It will suflice toobserve that after cocking the brush shaft 105 is held against clockwiserotation by a latch cam 115 engaged by a latch member 115a carried on abell crank 116. Similarly, the cocked knife shaft 106 is held againstclockwise rotation by a cam plate 117 fixed thereto and engaged with alatch member 117a forming part of a bell crank 118.

The brush shaft 105 is released from the cocked position upon the bellcrank 116 being tripped when its opposite arm is struck by the plunger119a of a solenoid 119 when the latter is energized (see FIGS. 6 and 7).The knife shaft 106 is similarly released in response to energization ofa solenoid 120, its plunger 120a rocking the bell crank 118 to move thelatch 117a clear of the cam 117. The manner in which the solenoids 119,120 are energized will be more fully explained below.

Mounted on the frame member 101 are two carriage limit switches ICLS and2CLS which are used for control purposes as explained below. The switch2CLS is gravity-operatedwhenever the paster carriage approaches itslowered operative position. For this purpose, the switch 2CLS, which hasa plurality of contacts, may include mercury bottles mounted in suitableangularly adjustable spring clips. The carriage limit switch lCLS isdepressed by a stop pin 12% whenever the carriage is fully retracted.This will be considered the normal or de-actuated condition of theswitch, its contacts being actuated when the carriage is lowered.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, the retractionof the paster carriage from its lowered position is so controlled thatit cannot trap an object, for example, a man which might be standing inthe way. To this end, the safety shaft 108 carries a plurality ofrearwardly extending safety deflectors 121 which project beyond the rearsurfaces of the frame members. The shaft 108 and the radially extendingdeflectors 121 are urged clockwise as shown in FIG. 6 by a suitabletorsion spring 122 (FIG. 7). Mounted fast on the shaft 108 at the outersurface of the frame 101 is a camming arm 124 (FIG. 6) engaged by thefollower of a carriage safety switch CSS. This switch is, therefore,actuated whenever the deflectors 121 strike an object as the carriageretracts and thus rock the shaft 108' clockwise as 6 viewed in FIG. 6.The contacts for the safety switch CSS are connected into the over-allsafety control circuit as explained more fully below.

In keeping with another safety feature of the invention, the pastercarriage is held in its retracted position even though there should be afailure in the supply of fluid pressure to the double-acting ram 46. Forthis purpose, a safety latch hook 125 is pivoted at 126 to the support34 (FIG. 6) and disposed beneath a latch pin 128 fixed in the frame 101.As the carriage retracts, the pin 128 strikes a curved surface on thelatch hook 125, rocking the latter clockwise, against a compressionspring 129 (FIG. 8), until it falls beneath the pin. For moving thelatch hook 125 when the carriage is to be lowered, a fluid pressureactuator or cylinder 130 is disposed such that its piston rod, workingagainst the compression spring 129, strikes the latch hook and rocks itcounterclockwise.

The incorporation of the latch controlling cylinder 130 into thepneumatic controls for the ram 46 and the organization of these controlswill become clear upon reference to schematic FIGS. 8-11. The four-waytwoposition valve 48, controlled by energization of the solenoid 49,receives air pressure through an inlet 131 and may exhaust air throughan outlet 132. This valve is also connected through lines 134 and 135,and through the respective two-way safety valves 50 and 51 to theopposite sides of a piston 47 in the actuator 46. The safety cylinder130 is connected by a line 136 to the line 134 so that it receives airpressure whenever the valve 48 is actuated by energization of solenoid49. Connected in parallel with the safety valve 51, i.e., from the lineto the right side of the actuator 55 is a bleeder valve 138 having aspring biased plunger 139 which is shifted by the carriage when thelatter is fully retracted. Such shifting of the plunger 139 opens asmall bleed port 140 to permit slow transfer of air through the valve.

FIG. 8 illustrates the condition of this pneumatic circuit when thecarriage is retracted and locked safely by the latch hook 125. Thesolenoids 52, 53 are deenergized so that the safety valves 50 and 51 areclosed. The solenoid 49 is also deenergized, the valve 48 venting theline 134 to the atmosphere, and supplying the line 135 with air pressurethrough the inlet 131. This pressure is maintained on the right side ofthe piston 47 through the bleed port 140. The cylinder 130 beingexhausted, its piston and piston rod retreat to the left under theinfluence of the compression spring 129, so that the hook 125 embracesbut does not engage the pin 128. If the air pressure supply should failand the carriage 44 starts to drop it will move slowly due to thethrottling action 'of the bleeder valve 138, but the hook 125 willengage the pin 128 and thus hold the carriage up.

When the carriage is to be lowered the solenoid 49 is energized so thatthe valve 48 moves to its opposite position as shown in FIG. 9. Airpressure is thus supplied to the safety cylinder 130, moving its pistonto the right and rocking the safety hook 125 clear of the pin 128. Atthe same time, the line 135 is vented to the atmosphere so that air onthe right side of the piston 47 may bleed through the valve 138, lettingthe carriage drop slowly under the influence of gravity.

When the carriage has descended a predetermined amount, the limit switchICLS is actuated. This, as explained below, results in the energizationof the solenoids 52 and 53 for the safety valves 50 and 57. Since thesesafety valves are thus opened, as shown in FIG. 10, the right side ofthe piston 47 is exhausted to the atmosphere and its left side suppliedwith air pressure. The actuator 46 thus rocks the carriage to itslowered position, the plunger 139 moving outwardly to close the bleedport 140.

To raise the paster carriage from its lowered position it is onlynecessary to deenergize the solenoid 49 for the valve 48. This valvethen returns to the position shown in FIG. 8 while the safety valves 50,51 remain open. The

aoeaaee left side of the piston a7 is vented and its right side suppliedwith air pressure. Once the carriage has retracted sufiiciently to causedc-actuation of the limit switch lCLS, then the safety valves 5%, 51reclose to return the system to the condition shown by FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 illustrates the operation of the pneumatic controls if a foreignobject F should be disposed in the path of the carriage as it isretracted. The safety deflectors 121 strike the object F, thus rockingthe safety shaft 103 and actuating the carriage safety switch CSS. Eventhough the limit switch 1CLS is actuated at this time, the actuation ofthe switch CSS, as described more fully below, results in thedeenergization of the solenoids 52, 53 for the two safety valves 50, 51.These valves thus close at once, completely trapping air on either sideof the piston 47. The bleeder valve 138 is also closed at this time.Therefore, the piston 47 and the carriage 44 are halted. They cannot bemoved upwardly until the foreign object is removed and the safetydeflectors 121 are released. Any object thus disposed in the retractingpath of the carriage cannot be crushed, nor can it cause damage to thecarriage itself.

Operation of Safety Controls The operation of the safety controls may bebest understood by following through a typical sequence of operationswith reference to the schematic diagram of the electrical controlcircuit in FIG. 12. The various relay coils are identified by the samealphabetical symbols used to identify their various contacts, the latterhaving distinguishing numerical suffixes. Various limit switches and areshown open or closed, as the case may be, as they are when the predrivecarriage and p aster carriage are both retracted prior to the beginningof an operational cycle.

Any time that a paste or splicing cycle is not in progress, thecontactor coil R may be energized by depressing a manual push buttonswitch M (P16. 12), thus closing the contacts R-i, RZ, R-3 andenergizing the reel motor 22 (F165. 1 and 13). At all times that a paperroll does not interrupt the light beam shining into the photoelectricrelay 71, its coil PE is energized and the contacts PE1 are closed.

To initiate the splicing operation, an operator depresses and holds aposition push button switch, thus energizing the contactor coil Rthrough normally closed contacts 1CLS1 and PE1. The reel, therefore,begins rotating in a counterclockwise direction, advancing the new roll26 (FIG. 1) toward its pre-paste position. The lower contact for theposition button energizes the coil of a relay POS so that it is pickedup. The solenoid 49 for the pastor carriage control 48 is not, however,energized because the contacts R- t are at this time open. The operatormust hold the position switch down until the periphery of the new roll26 breaks the light beam, thereby deenergizing the coil PE and openingthe contacts PE1. This, in turn, deenergizes the coil R and the motor 22to halt the reel with the new roll closely spaced to the running web W.

When the contactor R drops out, its contacts R-4 reclose, therebyenergizing the solenoid 49 for the paster carriage four-way valve 43. Asexplained previously, the paster carriage thus begins to descend underthe influence of gravity by bleed through the valve 138 (giving thelatch hook 125 time to swing clear) until the limit switch lCLS isactuated. As this ocurs, contacts lCLS-3 close to energize the solenoids52, 53 for the safety valves 50, 51 through the now closed .POSRZ andPOS-3 contacts.

Closure of the contacts llCLS-3 also energizes the solenoid 39 for thefour-way valve 38, controlling the predrive carriage 35. As a result,the predrive carriage 35 and the paster carriage both begin to descendtoward their operative positions under the influence of their respectivefluid pressure actuators 36 and 46. The predrive belt 40 thus rests onthe surface of the new roll 26 and the paster carriage assumes asubstantially vertical position adjacent the opposite side of therunning web W.

As the pester carriage approaches its lowered or operative position, themercury limit switch ZCLS is actuated. Upon closure of the normally opencontacts 2CLS-2A, the coil for the POS relay is sealed in through theline which contains the normally closed CSS1 contacts, a reset pushbutton switch, RRZ-l contacts, RLS-4 contacts and RLS-S contacts inparallel with PLS1 contacts. The contacts 2CLS-3A close to prepare acircuit including a normally open predrive push button switch. Also, thecontacts 2CLS3B open to render inoperative the manual push button switchM.

The operator may now release the position switch since the relay P05 issealed in. Prior to the actuation of the carriage limit switch ZCLS, ifthe position button had been released, the predrive and pastor carriageswould have returned to their original positions. Therefore, if anythinggoes wrong during this initial stage of the operational sequence, theoperator need only release the position button in order to restore theapparatus to its original condition, i.e., to make both carriages returnto the retracted positions.

After the new roll 26 is in its pre-paste position, the operatormomentarily presses and closes the predrive switch, thus completing acircuit through the now closed contacts ZCLS-3a and the normally closedcontacts RLS-2 for the coil of a relay PD. A second relay PDX connectedin parallel with the coil PD through normally closed contacts RLS-l, isalso energized. These are sealed in through the POS2 contacts by closureof contacts PD-1. Simultaneously, another auxiliary relay PDS isenergized through normally closed contacts PDSX-Z and sealed in throughthe contacts PD-l.

Energization of the coil PD opens contacts PD-2 in series through whichpower is furnished to brake coil for the individual spindle upon whichthe new roll is mounted. This prepares the new roll to be pro-drivenprior to splic- At this point, it may be observed that the printingpress into which the web W is being drawn has several controls for itsdrive motors. Because the drive motors are conventional, they are nothere shown in detail, and it will suffice to note simply that the presscan be quickly stopped in response to actuation of an emergency or redbutton switch (FIG. 14) and the resultant energization of a stop"solenoid. The press controls further include contacts PC-l which areclosed in response to ener-gization of the stop solenoid and whichremain closed until the press is completely stopped.

It is to be noted that if the red button stop switch in FIG. 6 isclosedat any time during the foregoing operations, an auxiliary relayRRZ is energized through the contacts PC-l and normally closed contactsD-6, and its contacts RR2-1 open, thereby unsealing the POS relay.Opening of the POS2 contacts would deenergize all of the solenoids andrelay coils so that the predrive and paster carriages would return totheir retracted positions. Emergency stoppage of the press thus preventscompletion of the splicing operational cycle and restores the apparatusto its previous condition.

After the predrive carriage has been lowered and the predrive buttondepressed to pick up the relay PD, the predrive motor 41 (FIG. 1) willbe energized to cause the belt 2% to. drive the new roll. The signalfrom the tachometer 89 is compared with the signal from a secondtachometer 147 which is driven from the press at a speed proapeaaseportioned to the linear velocity of the running web W. The error signalis accepted by a control circuit 148 which governs the amplidyne 42, thelatter supplying energizing voltage and current to the motor 41 so as toautomatically make the peripheral speed of the new roll substantiallyequal to the speed of the web W. This is termedthe predriving operation.The details of the predriving controls have not been shown in thepresent case, but a full understanding thereof may be gained byreference to the abovementioned copending patent application.

When the surface speed of the new roll 26 and the speed of the web W arein agreement, the operator may depress the paste push button switch(FIG. 12). As a result, the coil for an auxiliary relay PA is energizedand sealed in through its own normally open contacts PAl and the alreadyclosed contacts POS2. The contacts PA2 close so that the coil of anotherrelay E is energized the next time that the cam 70 (FIG. 1) on the newroll spindle 64 closes its breaker points 69a. The contacts PA-3 closeso that a circuit to the contactor coil R will automatically becompleted when the contacts 2CLS2B reclose as the paster carriageretracts. Additionally, the resultant opening of the contacts PA4 leavesthe energization of the solenoid 39 for the predrive control valveenergized solely through the contacts PCS-2 and PD4.

When the breaker points 65a for the new roll (those which are uppermostin FIG. 12) close, the relay B will be momentarily picked up. Itscontacts El will close so that a relay D is energized, its contacts D1closing to create a sealing circuit. The brush solenoid 119 is notenergized so long as the relay E is energized and its contacts E2 areopen. It should be noted that when the relay D picks up, the contactsD-6 in FIG. 14 open, so that the relay RRZ cannot be energized even ifthe red button stop switch is depressed. This arrangement thus preventsopening of contacts RR21 on emergency stops, and prevents termination ofthe splicing operations, if the splicing cycle has proceeded suficientlythat it will be completed during the time interval required for thepress and web W to come to a complete stop.

As the new roll rotates further so that the corresponding breaker points69a reopen, the coil E is deenergized. With this, the contacts E-Zreclose and supply current to the brush release solenoid 119 through thenow closed contacts D4. As a result, the bell crank 116 (FIG. 6) isrocked clear of the latch cam 115, and the brushes 54 are released todeflect the running web W and hold it against the surface of the newroll 26. At this time, the adhesive strip on the new roll has justpassed the point of web contact, so that it adheres to the web after thenew roll makes approximately one revolution.

With the release of the brushshaft 1055, a limit switch BLS is actuatedby the bell crank 115 (FIG. 6). Its contacts BLS-l and BLS-Z (FIG. 12)close so that the coil of an auxiliary relay PDSX and the knife solenoid126 will be energized the next time that the contacts E-4 close.

Then, upon continued rotations of the new roll spindle, its breakerpoints 69a reclose to reenergize the coil for relay E. The contacts E 2close and energize the knife solenoid 129 which rocks the bell crank 118(FIG. 6) free of the latch cam 117 so that the knives spring into theold web beneath the splice and sever it from the expiring roll. Closureof the contacts E-4 also energizes the coil PDSX which is sealed inthrough its contacts lDSX-S. The PDSX-1 contacts open to deenergize thesolenoid 4% for the paster carriage control valve 7%, so that the pastercarriage immediately begins to retract. Moreover, when the knives arereleased to sever the web, a cam 155 on the knife shaft 1% (FIG. 6)actuates an adjacent knife limit switch KLS. The contacts KLS-l of thelatter (FIG. 12) close to complete a circuit through the brush 67b (andother switches which, for the present case need not be described indetail) to energize the brake coil 650, thus quickly stopping theexpired roll.

As the paster carriage retracts slightly, the limit switch 2CLSde-actuates, thereby reclosing its contacts 2CLS-2B which then energizethe contactor coil R through the now closed contacts PA-3. As a result,the motor 22 is energized and the reel rotates to advance the new rolltoward the tension straps 30 (FIG. 1). It will be noted that even thoughthe contacts ZCLS-ZA reopen, the POS coil remains sealed in through thenow closed contacts D-Z.

Also, as the paster carriage retracts lightly, the contacts 2CLS-4-areclose to establish an alternate seal-in circuit for the coil E,holding the latter energized even when the contacts PDSX4 subsequentlyopen.

Should any foreign object, such for example, as a workman, be disposedin the retraction path of the paster carriage, it will be struck by andpivot the safety deflector 121, thus actuating the switch CS8. Thecontacts CSS1 (EEG. 12) open to drop out the POS relay which, in turn,opens its contacts POS-l to drop out the contactor R. Reel rotation thusstops. The POS2 contacts open to deenergize the safety solenoids 52, 53,closing the safety valves 50, 5'1 and trapping fluid in the cylinder 46to halt carriage retraction. The foreign object may be freed from thedeflector by closing the position switch which picks up the POS relayand energizes the solenoids 49, 52 and 53 so that the predrive carriageis lowered.

When the paster carriage reaches its substantially fully retractedposition, the limit switch ICLS de-actuates. Its contacts llCLS-3 opento deenergize the safety solenoids 52, 53 so that the correspondingsafety valves 50 and 51 reclose to trap the paster carriage in itsretracted position. The latch hook is automatically retracted beneaththe pin 12$ as shown in FIG. 8.

As the reel continues to rotate, the reel limit switch RLS-Z next isopened by its cam 74b (FIG. 2) when the new roll is in good contact withthe straps 3%.

The contacts RLS2 deenergize the relay coil PD. Drop-out of this relayopens the contacts PD-4, deenergizing the solenoid 39 for the valve 33so that the predrive carriage begins to retract. When the predrivecarriage is fully retracted, the contacts PLS1 which were open, reclose.Drop-out of the contacts PD1 deenergizes the knife solenoid and therelay PDSX.

As the reel rotates still further, the reel limit switch RLS3 next isopened by its cam 74a (P16. 2). However, if the contacts PLS-1 have notat this time reclosed, the POS coil is deenergized, opening the contactsPOS-Z to thereby deenergize the coil PA which, in turn, opens .thecontacts PA-3 to drop out the contactor Rand stop reel rotation. By thissafety feature, therefore, the predrive carriage must be fully retractedby the time the reel rotates sufiiciently to open the switch RLS3;otherwise, the reel is halted. It is thus impossible for the newlyloaded roll to strike the predrive carriage as the reel advances, withpossible damage to the apparatus.

Finally, as the newly spliced roll reaches a normal operating positionin the straps 3% the reel limit switch RLS-4 is opened by its cam 74b(FIG. 2). The holding circuit for the coil P05 is then broken, itscontacts PCS-2 open and all solenoids and relay coils are deenergized.The paste cycle is thus complete with the running web W being drawn fromthe new roll, with the expired roll in position for removal andreplacement by a newly loaded roll, and with the previously newly loadedroll ready to advance into the pre-paste position when the next spliceis to be made.

It will be noted from the foregoing description that the paste cycle maybe interrupted at any time prior to seal-in of the POS relay by simplyreleasing the position push button switch. After the POS relay is sealedin, the cycle may be interrupted by depressing the normally closed resetpush button. The actuation of the reset button unseals the POS relay todeenergize all electrical components, returning the paster carriage andpredrive caraoeaaee riage to their retracted positions and deenergizingthe predrive motor 59.

With the foregoing description of the organization and controlledoperation of the improved web splicing apparatus, it will be apparentthat the apparatus embodying the invention not only is substantiallyfully automatic but is also self-protecting and operates to producesmooth web splicing with minimum chances of web breakage.

We claim as our invention:

1. In apparatus for splicing a running web to a new web roll, thecombination of a rotatable reel for supporting an expiring roll, a newroll, and a newly loaded roll, a predrive carriage pivoted for movementbetween a retracted position and an operative position in peripheralengagement with the new roll when the latter is in a predeterminedpre-paste position, means for rotating the reel to move the new rollaway from said carriage after the splice is made, means for retractingsaid carriage in response to such rotation of the reel, a first limitswitch closed when the carriage is retracted, a second limit switchopened when the reel has moved the new roll through a predeterminedangle from its pre-paste position, and control means for terminatingreel rotation if both of said switches are open, whereby the carriagecannot be struck by a newly loaded roll.

2. In apparatus for splicing a running web to a new web roll, thecombination of a rotatable reel for supporting an expiring roll, a newroll, and a newly loaded roll, a predrive carriage pivoted for movementbetween a retracted position and an operative position in peripheralengagement with the new roll, means for rotating the reel to move thenew roll away from said carriage after the splice is made, a first limitswitch closed only when the carriage is in its retracted position, asecond limit switch opened when the reel has rotated a predeterminedamount after the splice is made, and control means for terminating reelrotation if both of said switches are open.

3. In apparatus for splicing a running web to a new web roll, thecombination of a rotatable reel for supporting an expiring roll, a newroll, and a newly loaded roll, a predrive carriage pivoted for movementbetween a retracted position and an operative position in peripheralengagement with the new roll, means on said predrive carriage forrotating the new roll before the splice is made, means for rotating thereel to move the new roll away from said carriage after the splice ismade, means responsive to such rotation to retract said carriage, afirst control element and means for actuating said element when thecarriage is displaced from its fully retracted position,

a second control element and means for actuating said element when thereel has rotated through a predetermined angle after the splice is made,and control means for terminating reel rotation if both of said controlelements are actuated.

4. In web splicing apparatus, the combination comprising a pastercarriage pivoted for movement between retracted and lowered positions, adouble-acting pressure fluid actuator for retracting and lowering saidcarriage, a self-positioning latch for holding said carriage retractedin the absence of fluid pressure, a four-way valve for controlling saiddouble-acting actuator, a pair of conduits, with a solenoid operatedsafety valve in each, connected between said four-way valve and saiddouble-acting actuator, an auxiliary actuator connected to receive fluidpressure from said four-way valve when the latter is in itscarriage-lowering position and operative to release said latch, ableeder valve normally spring biased to a closed position and connectedin parallel with that safety valve through which fluid is exhausted asthe carriage lowers, means engaged by said carriage for opening saidbleeder valve until the carriage is lowered through a predeterminedangle so that the carriage initially drops under gravity forces whensaid four-way valve is in its carriagelowering position, a first switchmounted for actuation in response to the carriage reaching saidpredetermined angle, means connecting said switch when actuated toenergize said solenoids and open said safety valves so that saidcarriage proceeds to lower by action of said double-acting actuator, adeflectable member on the upper side of said carriage and a secondswitch actuated upon deflection thereof as the carriage retracts, andmeans connecting said switch when actuated to denergize and close saidsafety valves and halt carriage retraction.

5. In web splicing apparatus, the combination comprising a pastercarriage pivoted for movement between retracted and lowered positions, adouble-acting pressure fluid actuator for retracting and lowering saidcarriage, a self-positioning latch underlying and effective to hold saidcarriage retracted in the absence of fluid pressure, a four-way valvefor controlling said double-acting actuator, a pair of conduits, with anormally closed safety valve in each, connected between said fourwayvalve and said double-acting actuator, an auxiliary actuator connectedto receive fluid pressure from said four-way valve when the latter is inits carriage-lowering position and operative to release said latch, anormally closed bleeder valve and connected in parallel with that safetyvalve through which fluid is exhausted as the carriage lowers, means foropening said bleeder valve when the carriage is within a predeterminedangle of said retracted position so that the carriage initially dropsunder gravity forces when said four-way valve is in itscarriage-lowering position, first control means operative in response tothe carriage reaching said predetermined angle to open said safetyvalves, a deflectable member on the upper side of said carriage, andsecond control means responsive to deflection of said member to closesaid safety valves and halt carriage retraction.

6. In apparatus for splicing a vertically running web to an adjacent newweb roll, the combination comprising a paster carriage pivotable betweena substantially vertical position adjacent the running web and aretracted substantially horizontal position remote from the web, adouble-acting fluid pressure actuator for rocking said carriage betweensaid two positions, a four-way valve for controlling the admission andexhaustion of pressure fluid to and from said actuator, two conduits,and a pair of normally closed safety valves interposed respectivelytherein, connecting said four-way valve and said actuator, control meansfor opening said safety valves when the carriage is beyond apredetermined angle below said fully retracted position, a normallyclosed bleeder valve connected in parallel with that safety valve whichwhen open vents pressure fluid as the carriage is lowered, and means onthe carriage for moving and opening said bleeder valve when the carriageis within said predetermined angle from said fully retracted position,whereby controlled descent of the carriage under gravitational forcesoccurs by bleeding of fluid through said bleeder valve before saidsafety valves are opened.

7. In apparatus for splicing a running web to an adjacent new web roll,the combination comprising a paster carriage pivotable between anoperative position adjacent the running web and a retracted positionremote from the web, a main fluid pressure actuator for rocking saidcarriage between its two positions, a valve for controlling theadmission and exhaustion of pressure fluid to and from said actuator, aself-positioning latch for holding said carriage in its retractedposition in the absence of pressure fluid in said actuator, and anauxiliary pressure fluid actuator connected to receive pressure fluidwhen it is supplied to said main actuator in lowering the carriage, saidauxiliary actuator being linked to said latch to release the latter.

8. In an apparatus for splicing a running web to an adjacent rotatingnew web roll, the combination comprising a paster carriage movablebetween a remote position and a position adjacent the running web, adouble-acting pneumatic actuator for moving said carriage between itstwo positions, a four-way solenoid valve operated by a speasee solenoidfor controlling the admission and exhaustion of pressure air to and fromsaid actuator, a pair of normally closed safety solenoid valvesconnected between said four-way valve and said actuator, a defiectablemember on said carriage remote from the web, means for energizing thesolenoids of said safety valves, operated by solenoids, when thecarriage is being moved by said actuator, and switch means connected incircuit with said solenoid valves and actuated upon deflection of saidmember for deenergizing the solenoids of and closing said safety valvesto thus trap air in the actuator and stop carriage retraction.

9. In an apparatus for splicing a running web to an adjacent rotatingnew web roll, the combination comprising a paster carriage movablebetween a retracted position and a position adjacent the running web, afluid pressure actuator for moving said carriage between its twopositions, a main valve for controlling the admission and exhaustion ofpressure fluid to and from said actuator, a pair of safety Valvesconnected between said main valve and said actuator, a deflectablemember on the leading side of said carriage as it retracts, and meansfor closing said safety valves in response to deflection of said memberto thus trap fluid in the actuator and stop carriage retraction.

10. In web splicing apparatus, the combination of a paster carriagemovable between retracted and operative positions, a predrive carriagemovable between retracted and operative positions, first and secondpower means respectively for moving said paster and predrive carriagesbetween their positions, a push button switch and means responsive toclosure thereof for energizing said first power means to move saidpaster carriage towards its operative position, means responsive toopening of said push button switch to cause said first power means toretract said paster carriage, a first limit switch actuated as saidpaster carriage leaves its retracted position and operatively connectedto energize upon such actuation said second power means and move saidpredrive carriage toward its operative position, means responsive tosubsequent deactuation of said first limit switch to de-energize saidsecond power means and retract said predrive carriage, a second limitswitch actuated as said paster carriage reaches its operative position,and means connecting said second limit switch to said first power meansto maintain the latter energized despite opening of said push buttonswitch, whereby release and opening of said push button switch beforesaid paster carriage reaches its operative position causes automaticretraction of both said carriages.

11. In a web splicing apparatus, the combination of a paster carriagemovable between retracted and operative positions, a predrive carriagemovable between retracted and operative positions, first and secondpower means respectively for moving said paster and predrive carriagesbetween their positions, a push button switch and means responsive toclosure thereof for energizing said first power means to move saidpaster carriage toward its operative position, means responsive toopening of said push button switch to cause said first power means toretract said paster carriage, a first control element and means foractuating it as said paster carriage leaves its retracted position toenergize said second power means and move said predrive carriage towardits operative position, means responsive to subsequent de-actuation ofsaid first limit switch to de-energize said second power means andretract said predrive carriage, a second control element and means foractuating it as said paster carriage reaches its operative position, andmeans connecting said second control element to said first power meansto maintain the latter energized when said switch is released, wherebyrelease and opening of said switch before said paster carriage reachesits operative position causes automatic retraction of both saidcarriages.

12. In apparatus for splicing a running web to a new web roll, thecombination comprising a paster carriage movable between retracted andoperative positions, a fluid pressure actuator for moving said carriagebetween its two positions, a two-position solenoid valve for controllingsaid actuator, a push button switch, control means for energizing saidsolenoid valve to initiate movement of said carriage toward itsoperative position when said push button switch is closed, said controlmeans de-energizing said solenoid valve upon opening of said push buttonswitch to retract said carriage, a limit switch actuated only when saidcarriage is substantially in its operative position, and meansconnecting said limit switch when actuated to said solenoid valve tomaintain the latter energized despite opening of said push buttonswitch, whereby release of said push button switch before said limitswitch is actuated automatically causes said carriage to retract.

13. In apparatus for splicing a running web to a new roll, thecombination comprising a paster carriage movable between a retractedposition and an operative position adjacent the running web, power meansfor moving said carriage between its positions, a position switch, meansresponsive to closure of said position switch for initiating movement ofthe carriage toward its operative position, a limit switch actuated onlywhen the carriage substantially reaches its operative position, andcontrol means for causing said carriage to automatically retract if saidposition switch is opened before said limit switch is actuated,

14. In apparatus for splicing a running web drawn from an expiring rollto a new web roll, the combination comprising a rotatable reel forrotatably supporting the expiring and the new rolls, a motor drivinglyconnected to rotate said reel, means including a photoelectric relay forautomatically stopping said reel when the new roll is brought intopredetermined proximity with the running web, a paster carriagepivotably between a retracted position and a position adjacent theopposite side or" the web, means responsive to actuation of saidphotoelectric relay for moving said paster carriage from its retractedposition, a predrive carriage movable between a retracted position andan operative position in driving engagement with the new roll, meansresponsive to movement of said paster carriage from its retractedposition for moving said predrive carriage toward its operativeposition, whereby said carriages cannot be caught by rolls on the reel.

15. In apparatus for splicing a running web drawn from an expiring rollto a new web roll, the combination comprising a rotatable reel forrotatably supporting the expiring and the new rolls, means for rotatingsaid reel, positioning means for automatically stopping said reel whenthe new roll is brought into predetermined proximity with the runningweb, a paster carriage pivotable between a retracted position and aposition adjacent the opposite side of the web, means for moving saidpaster carriage from its retracted position only after said positioningmeans are actuated, a predrive carriage movable between a retractedposition and an operative position in driving engagement with the newroll, means for moving said predrive carriage from its retractedposition only after said paster carriage has left its retractedposition, whereby rotation of said reel cannot cause the rolls to strikeeither of said carriages.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,147,617 McCleery Feb. 14, 1939 2,203,607 Wood June 4, 1940 2,689,095McWhorter Sept. 14, 1954

